I Jefferson ETHERIDGE of the County of Currituck, and State of North
Carolina, being in sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my
earthly existance, do make and declare this my last will and testament in
manner and form following, that is to say -

First - That my executor or executrix herein after named shall provide for
my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and
pay all funeral expences together with my just debts howsoever and to
whomsoever owing out of the money that may first come into his or her hands as
a part or parsel of my estate.

Item 1st - I give and devise to my beloved wife all of my real
estate consisting of the homestead whereon I now reside containing sixty acres
more or less one other track of land whereon I formerly resided containing
fifty six acres more or less also one other track of land I purchaced
from Carey? ETHERIDGE containing fifty six acres more of less to have
and to hold to her the said Edy ETHERIDGE for and during the term of
her natural life.

Item 2nd - I give and devise to my eldest daughter Adeline
ROACH wife of Benjamon F. ROACH all of that track of land whereon
she now resides containing fifty six acres more of les also the track of land
I formerly resided on containing fifty six acres more of less to have and to
hold after the death of my wife Edy by paying over to my daughter
Angerona RITTER wife of Joseph RITTER one hundred and fifty dollars
to her and her heirs in fee simple forever.

Item 3rd - I give and devise to my youngest daughter Angerona
RITTER wife of Joseph RITTER all of the track of land whereon I now
reside to have and to hold after the death of my wife Edy to her and
her heirs in fee simple forever.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my daughter Adeline ROACH
my lawful executrix to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will
and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every
part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other
wills and testaments by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof I the said Jefferson ETHERIDGE do hereunto set my
hand and seal this 23rd day of July 1884.
/s/ Jefferson ETHERIDGE [his x mark] Seal

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Jefferson ETHERIDGE
to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us who at his request
and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses hereto. H.S. ETHERIDGE Wm. H. POWERS

North Carolina } Currituck County}

A paper writing purporting to be the last will and
testament of Jefferson ETHERIDGE is exhibited for probate in open Court
by Adeline ROACH the executrix therein named, and the due execution
thereof by the said Jefferson ETHERIDGE is proved by the oath and
examination of H.S. ETHERIDGE and Wm. H. POWERS, the subscribing
witnesses thereto. And it appearing that the said testator at the time
of making and signing said paper writing was of full age to make a will, of
sound and disposing mind and under no restraint or undue influence. It
is therefore considered, adjudged and decreed by the Court, that the said paper writing
and every part thereof, is the last will and testament of the said
Jefferson ETHERIDGE and the same is hereby ordered to be recorded and
filed. And therefore the said Adeline ROACH, executrix, as aforesaid,
duly qualified as such by taking the oath prescribed by law. This 25th
day of September 1885.
/s/ H.B. ANSELL, Clerk Superior Court

Recorded in Book No. 5 pages 122-23 & -24

[Note: Cemetery records
indicate that Angerona Etheridge was married to Joseph Rutter, not Ritter as
the will clearly states.]

This will was contributed by Kay
Midgett Sheppard. No part of this document may be used for any commercial
purposes. However, please feel free to copy any of this material for your own
personal use and family research. If you find anything in these records that
pertains to your families, it is strongly suggested that you look at the
original record on your own to check for errors or possibly other additional
and helpful information. Thank you!